Honoring William "Bill" Hanson Mann....

Please note a CHANGE in the FUNERAL SERVICE LOCATION from what was previously shown in other Medfield news publications.

William "Bill" Hanson Mann - Obituary

Retired Medfield Police Chief William "Bill" Hanson Mann, 91, of Medfield passed away unexpectedly on December 5, 2018 in Framingham after a brief hospital stay.

Born in Framingham, Mass, he lived in Millis until he moved to Medfield at age 6 where he lived his entire life, making him an official Townie. He left school in the 10th grade and went to work at the Socony Gas Station at the corner of Main and North Streets pumping gas, washing and greasing cars, fixing flats. etc., he also worked at C&E Simpson and Sons driving dump trucks and digging ditches, as well as Newell's Motor Livery driving taxis and school buses. Later he worked for the Roberts Funeral Home, Medfield Cemetery and Medfield Highway Department. At age 17, he joined the Merchant Marines.

He was drafted into the Army at the end of 1950 and stationed in Germany in 1951 as the rank of Corporal in Company C, 175th Military Police Corp, where soon after he met his future bride, Elisabeth. They married in the beginning of 1952 and by the end of the year, they welcomed their first daughter, Nina. In 1954, while pregnant with their second daughter, Rosemary, they moved back to Medfield. When he was discharged from the Army in 1956, he gained employment with the Charles H. Clougherty Company selling ad delivering fire equipment for many years. He joined the Medfield Police Department and welcomed his son, William, in 1959. In 1969 he was appointed as the Chief of Police and held that post for 20 years, retiring in 1989, establishing him as a local icon. In his retirement, he became a CPR Instructor an taught CPR to high school students and community groups with his friend, Ann Thompson, until 2008.

A philanthropist, he raised money for many causes; one of his favorites being the Jimmy Fund. He as also an active participant in the Medfield Home Committee. During the holiday season he would play Santa Claus for many town activities such as the Holiday Parade, Lord's Midnight Madness and Spaghetti with Santa as well as for private home parties. In retirement, his hobbies included golfing, going to annual golf outings at Myrtle Beach, and Patriots football, as a season ticket holder since 1960. He enjoyed being active at the German Club and the Medfield American Legion and was a loyal supporter of all Medfield High School sports teams. Attending all of their events, he was dubbed their #1 fan.

A loving husband, father and grandfather, Bill leaves behind his wife Elisabeth (Berlin) of 66 years; two daughters, Nina Mann and Rosemary Mann - both of Medfield; a son and daughter-in-law, Bill and Linda Mann of North Andover; three granddaughters, Kendra Cunningham (Army - currently stationed in Germany), Reba Anderson and her husband Brett (Denver, Colorado), Cassidy Mann (Scottsdale, Arizona); a grandson, Karl Mann (Malden, Mass); and one great-grandson, Henry Anderson.

Visitation: Friday, January 18, 2019 from 4pm-8pm, Roberts, Mitchell, Caruso Funeral Home, 15 Miller Street, Medfield, Mass.

Funeral Service: Saturday, January 19, 2019 at 11:00am at the United Church of Christ, 496 Main Street, Medfield, Mass.

Interment: Private at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to one of his favorite charities: The Jimmy Fund, c/o Dana Farber Cancer Institute, P.O. Box 849168, Boston, MA 02284, http://www.jimmyfund.org/ways-...

or the Medfield Home Committee, 459 Main Street, Medfield, MA 02052.